Mortal End is an absolute debut masterpiece of literary fiction that gripped my heart and soul from the start!

This Gothic Romance contains all the hallmarks of the genre from horror, violence, supernatural effects, and tragedy to scenes shrouded in the dark of a moonlit night all taking place in a modern urban setting. Centered around the question, “What if Vampires had a soul?,” a soul that carries with it the memories and awareness of each life it had before, the author pieces together a tapestry through history and time where each string intertwines and joins with the other to create a completely consuming and life affirming tale of love, loss, perseverance and healing.

The precise and descriptive writing created beautiful imagery which made me feel like I was watching a motion picture instead of simply reading the book. The FMC, Dr. Phenice Jones, is developed with such depth she had me feeling deep compassion and sadness for her lingering PTSD from childhood trauma while cheering on her efforts to move on with her life. I could viscerally feel her overwhelming emotions and desperation driving her self-protection, even as those efforts left her lonely and isolated. As the story unfolds, I experienced her inner turmoil over her life, and the changes she’s experiencing, as well as feeling her well of inner strength bubbling up to the surface.


With well-developed characters I am now completely invested in, a new take on vampires, creative world building, and gorgeous imagery, Mortal End asked me to consider some of life’s bigger questions: What is our soul? What does it mean to be human? Free-will versus Fate? What makes us Good or Evil?; all while taking me on an emotional and exciting urban fantasy adventure of epic proportions.

One of the most moving and absorbing books I have read this year, Mortal End is a top 2024 read for me, and I am so grateful to have received an Advanced Copy. Even while my heart is anxiously (and impatiently) awaiting the next book, I cannot recommend this read or author highly enough.

This book is good if you really love vampires, decent if not. I struggled to feel a connection to any character because all dialogue had the same voice. Also, the word cream/creamy as and adjective was used at least once in just about every chapter. I don’t know why that threw me off so much, but it did. Creamy nightgown, creamy skin, creamy blood. Normally I love a fated mates or soul mate trope but I didn’t feel it here.

I was immediately drawn to this book by its intriguing premise, which involves soulmates, past lives, and a cursed Egyptian queen, as well as its stunning cover art. The story follows Dr. Phenice Jones, a psychiatrist haunted by recurring nightmares of Queen Sadeh. These visions disrupt her life and reveal a history of reincarnation, a tragic curse, and the quest for her soulmate. When Phenice is attacked by vampires and transformed into an immortal, the stakes rise as she uncovers her past life, extraordinary powers, and a dangerous connection to the Queen.

The book’s concept is undeniably captivating, blending history, mythology, and romance into a vampire fantasy that’s both unique and ambitious. The detailed writing shines in its descriptive settings, bringing vivid locations to life. However, the execution of the narrative felt uneven at times. The pacing was clunky, with a tendency to "tell rather than show" when moving between major plot points, which disrupted the flow of the story.

I appreciated the background details about Phenice’s upbringing, which made her struggles relatable and gave emotional weight to her journey. However, the visions were often muddled and confusing, with references to events that weren’t fully fleshed out, making it difficult to follow the plot. While the idea of soulmates and reincarnation was compelling, the story felt overly complex in its delivery, and I found myself wishing the focus had been narrowed to one strong central theme or character arc.

Unfortunately, I didn’t finish the book, stopping at 50%. While the premise was intriguing, the convoluted storytelling made it hard to stay engaged. That said, the book has plenty of potential for readers who enjoy imaginative vampire romance stories with a richly layered mythology.

Unfortunately, I could not finish this book, while I love the concept in the description, the execution was too convoluted for me to really get into the story.
I wish the author had picked a vampire throughout history, story or the premise of soulmates that you long for in every reincarnation of your life.
I made it to 65% before I dnf.
The way the visions are written is muddled, and then visions that don’t play out on the page are referenced as if they were, so you’re always trying to figure out what is going on with very little info

I really enjoyed the concepts in this book surrounding soulmates and past lives. What drew my attention to this book was the mention in the description of the cursed Egyptian Queen and the beautiful cover art.
I think the premise itself is extremely interesting and the writing at times was very descriptive especially when depicting locations. Unfortunately for me the pacing felt clunky and it was very "tell don't show" to get from one plot point to another.
Overall not a bad vampire romantasy.

If you like vampire stories, this is for you! I don't normally read them, but something about this book's title and description caught my attention. I'm glad I tried it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Our story begins with Dr. Phenice Jones, a psychiatrist haunted by recurring nightmares of Egyptian Queen Sadeh. These nightmares are causing immense distress to her PTSD and disrupting her daily life. The author provides valuable background information on Phenice’s upbringing, which deeply moved me and empathized with her emotions.

To add an element of intrigue, Phenice is attacked by vampires and emerges as an immortal being with extraordinary powers. She discovers that she has lived an earlier life, was cursed, found her soulmate, and ultimately met her demise. It’s remarkable how she manages to keep all these revelations and experiences under control.

Even with her new life and powers, she must remain hidden from the Queen to stay alive. Her new adventure with her soulmate and friends begins. Overall, the story is an entertaining and captivating journey that keeps the reader engaged until the end.
I want to thank the author Maddie Rose Andry and NetGalley letting me to read this book.